• Age Requirements: Children who are 3 or 4 years old by September 1 of the school year.
• Residency: Must live within the boundaries of the Houston Independent School District.

• Full-Day Program: Our Pre-K program runs for the entire school day, ensuring your child receives a comprehensive educational experience.
• Certified Teachers: All our Pre-K teachers are certified and trained in early childhood education, providing high-quality instruction and care.
• Curriculum: We focus on a balanced approach that includes academic instruction, social-emotional development, playtime, and rest periods. Our curriculum is designed to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond.
• Engaging Activities: Children participate in a variety of activities that promote learning through play, hands-on experiences, and interactive lessons.

• Supportive Environment: We create a safe and welcoming space where children can explore, learn, and grow.
• Individual Attention: With a low child-to-teacher ratio, each child receives the attention and support they need to thrive.
• Family Involvement: We encourage parents to be active participants in their child's education, fostering a strong home-school connection.

• Easy Application: Visit your nearest school to request support with the online application.
• Required Documents: Proof of address, child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and parent ID.
• Tuition: Free for eligible students. Tuition-based options are available for those who do not meet the eligibility criteria.

• HIPPY Program: For parents with children ages 2 to 5, our Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program offers home-based lessons to support early learning.

We are committed to providing a high-quality early education that sets the foundation for lifelong learning. Enroll your child in HISD's Pre-K program and give them the best start on their educational journey!

For more information, visit the HISD Pre-K page or contact the Early Childhood Department at 713-556-4393. We look forward to welcoming your family to our Pre-K community!

Ensure your child meets the age requirement:

• 3 years old on or before September 1 for 3-year-old programs
• 4 years old on or before September 1 for 4-year-old programs
• Confirm residency within the Houston Independent School District boundaries
• Check eligibility criteria (economically disadvantaged, homeless, military family, etc.)

• Proof of Address:

  • Utility bill
  • Lease agreement
  • Complete Student Residency Questionnaire (SRQ) if homeless 

  Child’s Identification:

  • Original birth certificate or other document establishing student identity

  Immunization Records:

  • Up-to-date immunization records

  Parent Identification:

  • Driver’s license or other government-issued ID

  Additional Documentation (if applicable):

  • Proof of income (for economically disadvantaged status)
  • Military status documentation
  • Foster care documentation
  • SNAP or TANF eligibility proof

Enrollment Steps:

Online Application:

• Visit the School Choice website to fill out the Pre-K application.

Paper Application: 

• No paper application. 

Submit Application:

• Ensure all required documents are included.

• Submit the application online.

PreLAS Testing:

• Schedule PreLAS testing at your zoned school if required.

Homeless Verification:

• Complete and submit the Homeless Verification Form if applicable.

Application Status:

• Monitor the status of your application through the HISD School Choice portal.

Ranking Adjustments:

• Adjust the order of your application choices if needed before the deadline (Information for SY 2025-26 will be released in January).

Enrollment Confirmation:

• Await confirmation of enrollment and further instructions from the school.

For Tuition-Based Pre-K:

Payment Plan:

• For the school year 2025-2026, be prepared to pay the tuition amount of $6,744 or 9 payments of $749 each month if your child does not qualify for free Pre-K.

Eligibility:

• Ensure your child is zoned to a participating elementary school.

Application:

• Apply for the HIPPY program if your child is between ages 2 to 5. 

• For more detailed information, visit the Houston ISD Pre-K page or contact the Early Childhood Department at 713-556-4393.

This checklist should help you navigate the enrollment process smoothly and ensure you have all the necessary documents and information ready. Good luck with your child's enrollment!

1. Who is eligible for Pre-K in Houston ISD?

• Children must be at least three years old on or before September 1 of the current school year for 3-year-old programs, or four years old on or before September 1 for 4-year-old programs.
• The child must live within the boundaries of the Houston Independent School District.
• The child must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Economically disadvantaged

• Homeless

• Child of an active-duty member of the U.S. military or one who has been killed, injured, or is missing in action

• Unable to speak or understand English

• In foster care or has been in foster care

• Parent has been awarded the Star of Texas Award.

• Meets the SNAP or TANF criteria (free lunch)

2. How do I enroll my child in an HISD Pre-K program?

• Visit HoustonISD.org/SchoolChoice to apply online.

3. What documentation is required for enrollment?

• Proof of address (e.g., utility bill, lease)
• Child’s original birth certificate or other document establishing student identity
• Child’s immunization records
• Parent identification
• Additional documentation to determine eligibility for tuition-free Pre-K (e.g., proof of income, military status)

4. When does the application start?

• Application for Pre-K opens on January 22, 2025.

5. What if my child is not eligible for free Pre-K?

• HISD offers Pre-K on a tuition basis to 3- and 4-year-old students who do not meet the eligibility requirements to attend prekindergarten for free.

6. What are the tuition fees for non-eligible Pre-K students?

• The 2025-2026 tuition amount is $6,744 or 9 payments of $749 each month.

7. How many Pre-K programs can I apply to?

• Parents can apply to a maximum of 10 programs, with no more than five being Magnet programs. Applications should be ranked in order of preference.

8. What are the phases of the Pre-K application process for SY 2024-2025?

• Phase 1: Qualified in-district TEA-eligible Pre-K 4 applications received from September 17 to March 10 will be entered into lotteries.
• Phase 2: Applications received after March 10 will be considered on a space-available basis and first come, first served.

9. Can I change the order of my application rankings?

• Yes, you can adjust the order of your choices through March 10 (SY 2024-2025).

10. What if the school is full and all Pre-K seats are taken?

• Some schools have Pre-K partnerships. We have four elementary schools (Bush ES, Daily ES, Piney Point ES, and Burbank ES) with a Pre-K Partnership program at nearby childcare satellite locations. These classrooms have the same high-quality programming as our HISD schools. Each classroom has a certified HISD teacher, and students are dually enrolled with the childcare site and HISD to provide maximum support for students and families.

11. What are the partnership sites?

• Daily ES - American Choice
• Neff ECC - The Shining Star Academy
• Piney Point ES - Kid's Learning Academy
• Burbank ES - Something Special Childcare

12. What is HIPPY?

• HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) is an evidence-based home program that supports parents with children ranging from ages 2 to 5. The goal of the HIPPY program is to empower parents to become their child's first and most important teacher by equipping them with the skills, tools, and confidence they need to teach their children at home to prepare them for success in school.

13. How does HIPPY work?

• HIPPY lessons are delivered by home instructors who are active parents from the community. These instructors are trained to cover a highly structured, 30-week curriculum in English or Spanish for an hour every week in the parents' home. Home instructors use role play to teach parents educational activities which the parents can then practice with their children throughout the week.

14. What happens in a typical HIPPY lesson?

HIPPY lessons last 45–60 minutes once a week and feature a wide variety of activities for parent and child, such as:

• Reading stories together and answering questions about the stories

• Counting and grouping

• Learning sounds

• Increasing vocabulary

• Identifying opposites

15. Who can enroll in the HIPPY program? Which HISD schools participate in the HIPPY program?

• Families living within the Houston Independent School District who have a three or four-year-old child zoned to a participating elementary school may apply. (School listing pending for SY 2025-2026)

16. How much does it cost?

• There is no cost to the child's family or HISD schools.

For more detailed information, visit the Houston ISD Pre-K page or contact the Early Childhood Department at 713-556-4393.

17. Are there schools with only Pre-K programs?

• Yes, Bellfort, Farias, Fonwood, Halpin, MLK, Laurenzo, Mistral, Neff Early Learning Center, and Energized for Excellence are all early childhood centers within HISD.

18. Are there schools with no Pre-K?

• Yes, Shadydale, Neff ES, Tinsley, TH Rogers, and Rice K-8 do not have Pre-K programs.

Additional Information:

19. Is there a form I need to complete to prove I'm homeless?

• Yes, you can complete the Homeless Verification Form. 

20. How do I get my child PreLAS tested?

• The school will schedule PreLAS testing. Just go to your zoned school.

21. Does my child need to be potty trained to attend Pre-K in HISD?

• No, your child does not need to be potty trained to attend Pre-K in HISD. The district understands that children develop at different rates and provides support to help with this transition.

22. Is Pre-K a half-day or full-day program?

• Pre-K in HISD is a full-day program. This means that children attend school for the entire day, similar to older students. The full-day schedule allows for a comprehensive learning experience, including academic instruction, social-emotional development, playtime, and rest periods.

23. What credentials and training do your instructors have?

• HISD ensures that all Pre-K instructors are certified and have undergone background checks. 

24. What is the teacher to student ratio?

• HISD maintains a low child-to-teacher ratio to ensure each child receives adequate attention and support. Specific ratios may vary by program but a class of 22 has one teacher and a teacher aide.

25. What is the daily schedule like for Pre-K students?

• The daily schedule typically includes a mix of whole group instruction, small group activities, workstations, outdoor play, and rest time. Specific schedules may vary by school.